During a conference with New York Democratic leaders, Melissa DeRosa, secretary to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, apologized for withholding the state’s nursing home COVID-19 death toll, stating the team worried the actual numbers would put the state at risk for federal prosecution. DeRosa attributed the team’s resistance to releasing the numbers to Donald Trump’s continuous attack of Democratic governors and their response to the pandemic.
Right around the time Donald Trump was tweeting at Democratic governors, shaming them for their pandemic response—specifically their handling of their state’s nursing homes—he directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to initiate an investigation into New York’s nursing home policies. DeRosa shared during the press conference that a looming investigation caused the Cuomo administration to “freeze up,” as they didn’t know if the death toll data would be used against them.
Instead of making amends with grieving families who lost loved ones in New York’s nursing homes, DeRosa simply tried to make amends with Democratic politicians that were affected by the administration’s choices.
Recent Findings Highlight a 50% Error in Original Nursing Home Death Toll Reporting
A recent report released by New York’s state Attorney General Letitia James estimated the death toll of nursing home residents to be higher than what was originally reported by 50%, totaling 12,743 as of January 19. This significant error in the death toll count and the resulting controversy sparked the infamous news conference in which Cuomo disregarded the matter as trivial, leaving many state leaders to question the authenticity of DeRosa’s apology.
In fact, many of New York’s Democratic leaders have been reluctant to accept the administration’s public apology, stating it simply does not go far enough. Several leaders expressed their deep frustration of feeling as though they had to defend the administration for political purposes despite their suspicious behavior. During a pandemic, wherein public health officials should be trustworthy, the Cuomo administration’s shortcomings in nursing home reporting fall hard on New York residents—many of whom lost elderly loved ones.
Call an Expert Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in New York City
If you believe that one of your loved ones is being taken advantage of or neglected by their nursing home staff, you should contact the skilled attorneys at Dalli & Marino. Our team of experienced lawyers firmly understands New York regulations and government healthcare. We will work tirelessly to ensure you and your family are properly compensated for the harm your loved one experienced.
At Dalli & Marino, we have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We approach each case on an individual basis and serve to help you or your loved one recover the money you need to compensate for your injury or illness. We strive to build intimate relationships with our clients through reliable communication and a deep commitment to understanding your case and needs. Give us a call at (888) 465-8790 or complete our contact form today.
